Sail Cuba to Bay islands and further onto Rio Dulce, Guatemala May/June 2017
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| The kids very happy to be on anchor! |
Day one we sailed with the smaller inner jib and the mainsail under 2nd or 3rd reef in 22+ knots of wind and steep 6 to 8 ft seas on the beam. By Sunset the wind decreased, but the thunderstorms and rain squalls increased. Through out the night we reefed the inner jib countless times for squalls and then shake it out afterwards.
The following day the strong wind, squalls and steep seas dissipated. We sailed under full sail a few hours until nightfall when the squalls started again... (By this time my hands were raw from reefing for countless rain squalls!)
Day three, we found ourselves once more under heavy reefed sails in 27+ knots of wind on the beam. The rain dissipated by late afternoon, but the wind increased to 30 + over night until dawn the following day.
Much relieved crew dropped anchor in Sandy-bay at noon on Saturday, before the predicted gale-force winds set in.
Jaco and "Songerie" handled all excellent, but the crew (Christelle and doggies) were not too happy...3 days of strong winds and steep seas!
During the worst seas, I put the dogs inside the saloon to keep them dry and protected, but had to laugh for each time they shook their little bodies vigorously whenever they heard the waves hitting the hull! (Throwing a wall of water over the coach-roof into the cockpit, leaving Jaco and I soaked.. )
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| Jaco rowing the kids to land at our favorite Manati bar. |
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| While hoping for a small break in the furious easterlies we went on lovely daily walks at Guanaja.. |
Gale force wind was in the forecast for the next week or more. Not the best of time to be sailing except maybe running with the wind. (My opinion, not necessarily Jaco's!)
At first we were not in a hurry to go anywhere, but my sister asked me to come home asap, my mother is very sick. With her help we booked return flight tickets... we only had 2 weeks to get to the Rio Dulce! Guess we will be running with the wind!
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| Lisa Moore told us about this waterfall, thanks! the whole family loved it! |
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| Magnificent floral paths in Guanaja. |
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| Entering the Rio Dulce once more... never thought we will see this river so soon again! |
We managed after waiting a few days, just a short sail to Calabash Bight, Roatan, and again after a few days another short sail to West End. Then the last stage was an over night stretch to Tres Puntas.
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| Lovely scenery along the shores of the Dulce. |
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| Ou backyard in Cayo Quemado |
I was a nervous wreck first hoping for clear skies with no more squalls, (I had my fare share of them!!) then also passing the notorious dangerous pirate spot at Punta Sol. (There have been another atack just 2 weeks previously)
Much relieved we dropped anchor just after sunset on Tuesday, 6 June at Tres Puntas. Ready to pass the sand bar early the next morning.
Little did we know what was in store for us for the night! A tremendous strong thunderstorm passed in our area with viscous lightning strikes all around us. To make matters worse, a swell started rolling in together with a uncomfortable chop picking up from across the bay. (Very weird that we had only light wind and no rain!)
The following week we spend heading up river to tie up at marina Gysa and preparing Songerie for a two month rest.
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| Tied up at Marina Gysa, the most friendly and welcoming marina with Gilbert and YeYe.! |
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| Sunday BBQ at the marina.. leave it to master BBQer, Jaco |
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| the "French invasion "...dejavous?? |
